Linkage Browns
Hard-working Chudzinski has rejuvenated offense
Sunday, November 4, 2007 4:09 AM
By James Walker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Some Browns players are having career years in first-year coordinator Rob Chudzinski's offense.
BEREA, Ohio -- The first time Ken Dorsey met Rob Chudzinski, Dorsey was a hotshot high school quarterback from northern California whom Chudzinski was trying to persuade to attend the University of Miami.
The assistant coach's pitch was anything but fancy.
"We ate over at Jack In The Box," Dorsey said with a laugh. "He's just that type of guy, down to earth. It's not a lot of flash sometimes, but it's always a lot of substance."
Substance is one of the words that comes up when people talk about Chudzinski, the Cleveland Browns' first-year offensive coordinator. Other words associated with the 39-year-old include intelligence, precision and hard work.
Chudzinski has the Cleveland offense working at a surprisingly high-powered clip. Entering a home game today against the Seattle Seahawks, the Browns are fourth in the NFL in scoring (27.7 points per game) and sixth in total offense (356.4 yards).
"Rob is an extremely hard worker; that's something I remember (from) working with him," said Miami Dolphins coach Cam Cameron, who was offensive coordinator last season in San Diego, where Chudzinski was tight ends coach.
"He's always looking for a better way to get something out of his players and always coming up with something creative in the game plan. … I'm not surprised by the success he's having."
Chudzinski joined Cleveland for the challenge of turning around a moribund offense and for the chance to move closer to home.
A Toledo native, he grew up a huge Browns fan and has mentioned on many occasions that there is a childhood picture of him in a Cleveland uniform -- similar to the photo of rookie quarterback Brady Quinn. Chudzinski has watched mostly from afar since the Browns rejoined the NFL in 1999, and he wanted to bring them back to the level of respectability they had when he was growing up.
"Certainly, this is a special place," he said. "We're all trying to do everything we can to make it that kind of place. It's just so early right now in the process. Honestly, you get caught up so much that you don't have time to think about it and reflect. I'm trying to press on and get ready for the next day, the next meeting, the next practice."
As a player, Chudzinski relied more on intangibles such as preparation and work ethic than athletic ability.
He was not heavily recruited at St. John's High School -- the University of Toledo was the only school to offer a scholarship until Miami saw him when it was scouting another player. When the Hurricanes offered, Chudzinski went to south Florida.
"He couldn't run a 4.4 (40-yard dash), but he always found a way to get open and was very smart, ran great routes and did the little things," said Doug Pearson, an assistant at St. John's when Chudzinski played and now the coach.
Chudzinski suffered a freak hand injury after his freshman season at Miami that was thought to be career-threatening. But he worked his way back to the field and had a productive collegiate career.
He was a three-year starter who was part of national championship teams in 1987 and '89.
"Rob was an overachiever," said Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson, who coached the 'Canes in 1989. "He was not overly talented, but he made up for that by being smart and working hard. I'm sure he is that same way as a coach."
Chudzinski continues to overachieve.
Cleveland hasn't finished in the top 25 in the league in total offense since its playoff year of 2002, but it appears that streak will end this season. Receiver Braylon Edwards, tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. and quarterback Derek Anderson are having career years, in part because Chudzinski is getting the most out of his players.
For Chudzinski, success is found in the details. He preaches particulars in practice such as proper route depth. He demands that his running backs hit their holes precisely and that offensive linemen make correct seals on their blocks.
"He expects the most and the best out of everyone," guard Eric Steinbach said. "He's not going to let guys be lazy in practice with the way we execute. He's always looking for 100 percent perfect execution, and I think that's what keeps guys around here in check."
In the film room, Chudzinski doesn't celebrate big plays -- even though the tapes have provided lots of them. Instead, he points out key blocks, examples of teammates playing for each other and minor mistakes.
The offensive philosophy is to be aggressive and keep defenses on their heels. It's also about matchups and putting Cleveland's strengths against its opponents' weaknesses.
For example, tailback Jamal Lewis was the focal point in the win against Cincinnati. Facing the Bengals' weak front seven, Lewis gained 216 rushing yards. Against the St. Louis Rams' struggling cornerbacks a week ago, Edwards tied a career high with eight catches, two for touchdowns.
Chudzinski's approach is to combine common sense with aggression. It helps that the Browns are getting contributions across the board.
"It's not just one person doing it," Chudzinski said. "There's a lot of people involved. That's why it's a team."
It's a team that's excited about what lies ahead, as well. Chudzinski plans to install more wrinkles as the season progresses, so the improvement the Browns have made may only be a sign of things to come.
"We're only seven games into a new system," Steinbach said. "We're only going to get more comfortable and confident with the plays. So far, so good."
jwalker@dispatch.com
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